When it comes to walleye fishing, jigs have been the most consistent type of fishing lure for a very long time. They are effective in both the shallows and in deep water, in warm and cold conditions, fishing during the day and at night, and literally the whole year round. Learning the basics of jigging is an essential step in becoming successful at walleye fishing. Here are a few things to keep in mind that will help you do just that:
Jigs come in various shapes, designed for specifically different fishing situations. Choosing the right one can make all the difference.
The most common shape is the ball-style jig. These are very versatile and can be used in the current or in still water. If in doubt, this is almost always a good walleye lure option. Ball-style jigs can be casted or trolled and are great for vertical jigging as well.
When you're fishing in the weeds for walleye, a good choice would be a swimming jig. These use a long, flat shape that reduces your chances of snagging and lures those walleye out from their hiding spots.
Pancake jigs are designed to cut through moving water (also called "current cutters"), and are best used while walleye fishing in rivers and streams.
Fishing lure size is another important factor. A 1/8 oz. jig is a pretty good place to start in most fishing conditions. The most important thing to consider is whether you are getting all the way to the bottom. If you can, try going lighter with a 1/16 oz. Or you may need to go a bit bigger with a 1/4 oz. or 3/8 oz. These four walleye lure sizes should cover most situations, but it doesn't hurt to have other options as well.
If you're fishing at night or in murky water you might try a bulkier walleye lure with fluorescent colors for increased visibility. No matter what, it is always a good policy to keep trying new fishing lure colors. Light conditions change very quickly underwater and good part of walleye fishing will always be a guessing game.
After you have the right walleye lure picked out, consider tipping it with either live bait or a plastic substitute. Both options have their advantages and you're better off having both available to you. When it comes to live walleye bait, minnows, leeches, and night crawlers will work best. Generally minnows work best in cooler water (spring and fall), leeches in warmer, and night crawlers in either. You should experiment, however, with all three regardless of when you are walleye fishing. Sometimes you just don't know until you try.
Plastic substitutes are nice because they require less maintenance and can be just as effective as live walleye bait. This will make it nicer on your hands when the weather is chilly and you don't want to be fumbling with minnows all day. New products like Gulp! work incredibly well, looking and acting very natural while using a specialized scent that attract walleye even better than the real thing.
All of this will be in vain if you don't find the fish. Electronic fish finders can be a fisherman's best friend. Once you've found them and you're fishing lure is in the water, you should vary the lure motion on your retrieve. First, let the walleye lure it sink all the way down. Try popping it off the bottom then let it sink, dragging the fishing lure along the bottom with subtle shakes, and slowly lifting and dropping it as you reel in. These methods take some practice to perfect but will help make your fishing lure look more natural and attractive to those walleye.
Knowing your fishing lure and how to use it is an essential part of becoming a successful angler. The more you know, the more fish you'll catch. The more fish you catch, the more fun you'll have fishing. And that, my friend, is what it's really all about.
Blissful Fishin
Tom Lehe is an outdoor enthusiast who was born and raised in Alaska. He now resides in Colorado and has a great passion for the natural world and helping others enjoy it. For more tips and techniques as well as innovative new products, visit http://www.hotrigtackle.com and http://www.walleyecentral.com
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